SurestepProcess
Organisations that are Offshoring recognise that the lack of Co-Location leads to a higher level of requirements specification. Indeed it is not uncommon for organisations to revert fully to a Waterfall method when working with long distance providers. This ensures that details are clear and provides a firm basis for contractual support throughout the relationship.
However so much can be sacrificed when moving away from Agile methods. The advantages of Agile developments are:
- Customer satisfaction by rapid, continuous delivery of useful software
- Working software is delivered frequently (weeks rather than months)
- Working software is the principal measure of progress
- Even late changes in requirements are welcomed
- Close, daily, cooperation between business people and developers
- Face-to-face conversation is the best form of communication
- Projects are built around motivated individuals, who should be trusted
- Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design
- Simplicity
- Self-organising teams
- Regular adaptation to changing circumstances
The efficient use of such methods can reduce development times by more than 30%, therefore reducing project costs and achieving benefits earlier.